Lakers Rumors: Carmelo Anthony Could Join Pau Gasol And Kobe Bryant
Los Angeles Lakers rumors regarding free agency signings this summer are sure to focus on Carmelo Anthony. It is no secret that as Anthony is closing in on his 30’s, he is ready to chase a championship. Lakers rumors suggest they are ready to spend money now and are looking to make a splash in free agency. And while the Lakers can not offer the same money as the Knicks, they do present the opportunity to play alongside Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. That would certainly increase Anthony’s chance of winning.
Carmelo: “At this point in my career I’m not concerned about the money.” Knicks can offer more than any other team: five years, $129 million
— Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) April 17, 2014
According to Lakers GM Mitch Kupchick, the plan since 2010 has been to put themselves in a position at the end of the 2014 season to make a run at a top free agent. Unfortunately, the failed Dwight Howard and Steve Nash experiments in Los Angeles has Lakers rumors running in all sorts of directions. By the end of the 2013-2014 season, the Lakers were marching out a starting line up of Kendall Marshall, Jodie Meeks, Wesley Johnson, Ryan Kelly, and Jordan Hill. Needless to say, outside of Nash, Gasol, and Bryant, the Lakers are not locked into any major contracts.
If the Lakers hope to draw Carmelo Anthony away from the Knicks, they will most likely have to address coach Mike D’Antoni. Lakers rumors suggest that D’Antoni is staying on as the coach, but it is well known that fans are not happy with the performance of their head coach. D’Antoni struggled while coaching Carmelo Anthony in New York for two seasons and almost certainly can not remain the coach if Anthony is on his way to the Lakers. If the Lakers have a chance to get Carmelo, it is almost certain that they will let D’Antoni go.
One of the underlying story lines involving all the Carmelo Anthony rumors is his shoulder injuries. Anthony was severely affected by the injury at the end of the season, possibly costing the Knicks a chance at the playoffs. With Kobe Bryant coming off two severe injuries, Gasol aging, and Nash’s career most likely over, do the Lakers really want to take a chance on another player with a chronic injury?
It seems that all the Lakers rumors really boil down to their position in the 2014 NBA draft. If they gain a favorable spot in the draft through the lottery, their options grow exponentially. They either gain a chance to draft a premier prospect or valuable trade bait. For now, Lakers rumors regarding Carmelo Anthony may be premature, but a good bounce of the NBA draft lottery balls could change all that.
[Image via SportsRant]
